FEU fancied as Dickies Cup unfolds

MANILA, Philippines - UAAP champion Far Eastern University hopes to reaffirm its mastery over University of the East when they clash in the opener of the Filipino Chinese Basketball League (FCBL) Dickies Cup today at the Philippine Buddhacare Academy gym in Quezon City.

The Lady Tamaraws, who regained their UAAP crown this season after beating Adamson Lady Falcons, take on the Lady Warriors at 10 a.m. in a game the Morayta-based squad is likely to dominate once again.

Dickies Philippines CEO Jose Atienza and Dody Arcaya, Dickies vice president for sales and marketing, have been invited to do the ceremonial toss in the newly organized women’s basketball league.

“It’s our little way to help sustain the growth of women’s basketball in the country,” said Atienza, himself an avid basketball fan.

Aside from FEU, others seeing action in the league backed by Smart, Home Depot, Mang Inasal and Powerhorse are NAASCU champion Centro Escolar University, Ateneo, Adamson, La Salle, UST and NCAA’s Lyceum.

The CEU cagebelles will test the mettle of Adamson at 11:30 a.m. while the Lady Archers collide with the Tigresses at 1:30 p.m.

Capping the four-game schedule is the match between the Lady Pirates and Lady Eagles at 3 p.m.

The top four teams after the single-round elims will secure twice-to-beat privileges against their lower-ranked rivals in the quarters with the winners advancing to the Final Four.